The Challenge

Campus closures made the old postroom process unworkable

Before the pandemic, Runshaw’s postal routine ran smoothly and predictably as part of the college’s wider administrative rhythm. Welcome packs, letters to parents, enrolment documents and course materials were all prepared in advance, then typed, printed, carefully checked, manually stuffed into envelopes and delivered to the postroom before the strict 3.30 pm cut-off each day. As long as every department met that deadline, the system worked reliably and post reached students and families on time without issue.

When COVID-19 arrived, everything changed almost overnight. Around 8,000 students and hundreds of staff were suddenly required to work from home, while teaching still depended on printed course materials being delivered quickly and accurately. These packs were essential for keeping lessons on track, supporting coursework and ensuring students could continue progressing towards their qualifications.

However, the college no longer had access to its on-site postroom processes, printers or coordinated handover routines, and there was no practical way to manage the same volume of outgoing post remotely. What had once been a well-structured and dependable daily routine quickly turned into a complex, time-sensitive logistical challenge that required a completely new approach.